MailmanDave
17 Years Experience
Long Island, NY
Male, 43
I am a City Letter Carrier for the US Postal Service in NY. I've been a city letter carrier for over 17 years and it is the best job I've ever had. I mostly work 5 days per week (sometimes includes a Saturday) and often have the opportunity for overtime, which is usually voluntary. The route I deliver has about 350 homes and I walk to each of their doors to deliver the mail. Please keep in mind that I don't have authority to speak for the USPS, so all opinions are solely mine, not my employer.
Generally if the item fits in your mailbox and doesn't require a signature it would be put in your mailbox. This includes First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation (which rarely would require a signature unless the sender requests it). I hope that is what happens in your case. You may not have read my other replies on this forum but I do a lot of hedging in my answers due to the lack of consistency in delivery and procedures which I hear about both where I work and other places around the country. Also, I don't like to give misinformation or mislead anybody. As much as I know how things should be done with regards to mail delivery, the reality is it doesn't always work out that way. Thank you for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20am%20expecting%20an%20envelope%20that%20was%20shipped%20via%20First%20Class%20Mail%20with%20Delivery%20Confirmation.%20Will%20it%20be%20delivered%20to%20my%20mailbox%20or%20to%20my%20door%3F%20I%20am%20asking%20because%20I%20would%20like%20it%20to%20be%20delivered%20to%20the%20mailbox%20because%20I%20won%27t%20be%20home.%20Thanks%21&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11948)
There is probably danger to any job. I don't feel any danger on my job for personal safety if you are referring to criminal activity. I work in a very safe area in suburban Nassau County, NY. The answer may be different if you delivered mail in an area with a higher crime rate. As far as danger when it comes to being injured, I am a very cautious driver and wouldn't want to have any type of motor vehicle accident. You have to be careful crossing streets and lawns, as well as icy surfaces in the winter. Also, dogs are a concern but if you must skip delivery to a house that has a dog loose you just do it and tell a supevisor when you return to the Post Office. Fortunately, I've not been injured or in a motor vehicle accident during my career. I hope it stays that way.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Is%20there%20a%20danger%20aspect%20to%20your%20job%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12355)
Sure it's common to run late. It's possible the carrier had another assignment to do before starting their regular route. Also, if staffing is short, a route may be broken up into several sections and a carrier will do that section for overtime which could vary the delivery time greatly. Thanks for the question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Is%20it%20usual%20for%20mail%20carriers%20to%20run%20late%20on%20routes%3F%20My%20mail%20is%20usually%20here%20early%20in%20the%20AM%20but%20has%20not%20yet%20got%20here%20yet.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8656)
When mailing a letter it is always best to put a full return address on it if you want to get it back in the event the item is undeliverable for any reason. It is not wrong, however, to just put your first name and return address on the letter. I can't tell you how common I see it since I don't often pay attention to the thoroughness of the return address. Most mail that is sent actually gets delivered as long as it has a proper destination address, including unit/apt. # (if any). Thank you for the question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20I%20sent%20a%20letter%2C%20and%20only%20put%20my%20first%20name%20and%20the%20returning%20address%20on%20it%2C%20is%20that%20somewhat%20common%20to%20see%20on%20letters%3F%20or%20is%20it%20not%20right%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12514)
Chef
Do you get offended when a customer sends back a dish?
School Teacher
Do you think teachers are underpaid? Why?
Security / Bodyguard
Have you ever had to disarm an attacker?
I don't know if you will receive the package tonight. This time of year I'd say that most packages are delivered by 6PM, but each office probably has varying times due to mail volume and staffing levels. During the holiday season, we deliver some packages on Sunday as well. If you have a tracking number you can track the shipment at www.usps.com but I'm not sure how well it works with items that originated from another country.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20late%20could%20I%20expect%20to%20possibly%20have%20my%20package%20arrive%20tonight%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14062)
I am sorry but I don't know anything about the rules for transferring that apply to CCAs. I would recommend visiting the www.nalc.org website which may have information or contacting a union representative at your local NALC branch or your shop steward. Good luck in your USPS career.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hello%2C%20I%27m%20a%20CCA%20who%20is%20transferring%20to%20another%20state.%20Can%20my%20current%20Postmaster%20hold%20me%20since%20I%27m%20not%20a%20career%20employee%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11542)
Scott, you ask a very good question and I do understand your hesitation for wanting to address this issue with her for fear of retaliation. I would take the step of writing a note for the carrier and politely asking them to close the lid after delivering the mail. I realize I agreed with you that there was a slight risk in addressing the issue, but if dealt with politely I'd hope there would be no cause for retaliation. Also, a call to the delivery supervisor would be appropriate if you dI'd see any obvious retaliation.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=my%20mail%20carrier%20refuses%20to%20close%20the%20lid%20%28flip-up%20lid%20worksfine%29%20after%20delivering%20my%20mail..%20instead%20of%20closing%2C%20she%20gives%20a%20quick%20flip%20%26%20drives%20off.%20%20Drives%20me%20crazy%20but%20afraid%20to%20address%20it%20out%20of%20fear%20she%20will%20%22lose%22%20my%20mail.%0AHow%20should%20I%20address%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10630)
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
